humphrey



,Ptenm'd Apr.y 18,1899.

F. A. HuMPHnEY; GUIDE FDR SAW MACHINE TABLES.

(Application led Qct. 6, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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N0- 623,|56 PatentedApr. I8, |899. F. A. HUMPHREY.

GUIDE FOR SAW MACHINE TABLES.

(App'lication led Oct. 6, 1897.; (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet -2.

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Nn. 623,156. f Patent-ed Apr.. 18,1899.'

F.A.IHuMPHnEY.

GUIDE FUR SAW MACHINE TABLES.

(Application filed Oct. 6, 1897.;

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

R25/JJ Witnesses.

f I Z lUNi'TnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK A. I'IUMPI'IREY, OF YVOROESTER,` MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO KATE AUGUSTA HUMPHREY, OF SAME PLACE. i

GUIDE FOR SAW-MACHINE TAB-LES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,156, dated April. 18, 1899.

Application filed October 6, l 897.

o @ZZ whom, t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, FRANK A. H UMPHREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at 'Vorcester, in the county of Vorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Guides for Saw- Machine Tables, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specification sufcientlyfull, clear, and exact io to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the saine.

One part of my invention relates to the manner of supporting the work gage or guide in connection with a circular-saw table or similar machine-table, whereby the guide is maintained in proper position by a peculiarly-constructed guide-head and grip devices underlocking and engaging a downward flange exjects being to afford a perfectly plain top surface on the table,obviate liability of the guide mechanism becoming clogged with chips or sawdust, and to provide an eicient, serviceable,and conveniently-adjustable guide mechanisin of the nature described.

Another part of myinvention relates to the employment, with a saw-guide having a head supported in connection with a depending flange at the edge of the table, of a hand-shaft and gearing for traversing the guide along the edge of the table and a holding device therefor, the object being to aord a means whereby the guide can be easily moved across the table-surface, accurately adjusted, and readily secured at any desired position, as more fully hereinafter explained.

Another feature of my invention consists in providing for circular-saw tables having a flanged edge a sawing-guide comprising an arm and a supporting-head confined to and movable along the edge of the table and having means for the lateral regulation of the alinement of the guide-arm relatively to its supporting-head and to the plane of the saw.

Another part of my invention relates to means for securing Jhe rear end of the guidebar to the rear edge ofthe saw-table, the object being to provide a saw-guide with efii- 5o cient devices for rigidly clamping the end of theguide' to the edge of the table and with tending along the edge of the table, the oh-v seriai No. 654,222. in@ man.)

appliances under convenient control of the operator from his position in front of the machine for unlocking and locking said clamping devices to facilitate shifting and adjusting said guide, as more fully hereinafter explained.

Another part of my invention relates to the construction and arrangement, in connection with the sawing-guide and its supporting- 6o head, of an extension-bar and gage-stop, as v hereinafter explained, the object being to afford an efficient and serviceable gage for long cut-off work; also, to provide a gage-stop that is adapted for ready adjustment to dierent positions and for sustaining the outer end of long work to prevent the same from sagging below the gage.

These objects I attain by mechanism the nature and construction of which are explained 7o in the following description, the particular subject-matter claimed being hereinafterdetlnitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a saw-table top having gages or guides there- 7 5 on, illustrating the nature of my invention and showing the arrangement of the guide as employed-for a front or slitting guide, also the arrangement of the guide as adapted for a side or cut-off guide with an extension-bar 8o and adjustable gage-stop for use with long work. Fig. 2 is a section of the extensionbar and front view of the gage-stop. Fig. 3 shows the side views of the gage-stop in its two positions of adjustment. Fig. 4 is a cross- 85 section of the guide, showing the manner in which the reversible high fence is combined therewith. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the head of the guide and front edge of the saw-table, also the connecting end of 9o the attachable extension-bar. Fig. 6 is a front View of the guide-head. Fig. 7 is a bot'- tom view of the guide and a portion of the saw-table with its rack and guide-supporting flange, the bottom part of the guide-head be- 95. ing in section to reveal the inclosed mechanism. Fig. S is a transverse vertical section through the guide-head and saw-table top, looking toward the front endof the same. Fig. Snis a vertical section showing the adap- Ioo tation of my invention to a wooden saw-table. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectiony at line a casa m Fig. 10, showing the mechanism for sion-bar, sometimes employed for increasing guide-faces.

the working length of the guide.

C indicates the saw-table, C' its throat-block, and c2 the `throat slot or openingthrough which the circular saw G projects. The table is formed with a plain and smooth top surface unbroken by grooves or openings such as are usually required for attaching guides thereto. The edges of the table are squared with the plane or axis of the saw, and a downwardlyprojecting flange C3 is provided along each edge of the table, said flange being slightly beveled or made thinner at its lower edge, as indicated in Fig. The flanges C3 terminate some distance short of the corners of the table, leaving unflanged portions or spaces C5 of sufficient dimensionto accommodate the passing of the guide-head d2 laterally on and off the edge of the table at either corner.

The head of the guide is best made about fifteen inches long, more or less, its central portion forming a slot for the tongue a' level with the top surface of the table, while the top of its lateral wings is at somewhat lower level, so as not to interfere with any work laid,V upon the table and projecting over the edge. The-tongue a is best formed in crosssection as two parallel upright flanges 4, connected by a web or lattice. The fore end of said tongue is seated upon the outwardly-projecting part ofY the head and connected therewith by a pivot-stud 5'. An angle-piece 6 is rigidly bolted to the tongue, and its lip extends downward within or through an Opeliing 7 in the head. A pair of opposite laterally-disposed screws 3, threaded in the sides of the head, with their points engaging depressions formed in the sides of the downward lip on the angle-piece, serve for regulating the alinement or lateral adjustment of the tongue CL relatively to the head andto the plane of the saw by slightly swinging the tongue on its pivot-stud 5, one screw being turned outward and the other inward, as may be required. The tongue is preferably provided with vertical holes 9, formed through suitable bosses integral with the web and anges and disposed at proper distance apart and on the exact center line between the rlhese holes serve for the support of a detachable high fence 10, (see Fig. 4,) which can be reversed and used at either side of the guide, as hereinafter explained.

The under part of the head a2 extends beneath the table-augeand has an upward rib or flange 1l at the inner side thereof, the head thus forming a long pocket or cradle 12, within which is arranged a friction bar or plate 13, made of wood or suitable material and beveled to match the inner surface of the table-fiange C3. Said bar rests loose within the pocket, but is confined from endwise and downward escape by the ends and bottom part of the head. A bow-shaped spring 14, of fiat steel, is arranged, as shown, at the back of the friction-bar,with its end bearing against said bar and pressing it toward the flange, Set-screws 15, having check-nuts thereon, are threaded into the inner rib 11 of the head and adapted to be turned in against the ends of the spring 14 for giving a dead-stop to the spring when it is forced back to the given position maintained by the point of the screw. The adjustment of the spring and screws 15 is such as will give just a free sliding action of the friction-bar upon the fiange while affording sufficient rigidity against any anglilar action of the head, due to side pressure against the tongue.

The wood bar 13 is best saturated or filled with paraffin or other lubricant, so as to slide against the table-flange without stickiness, and acts against said flange both as a guide and as a tightener.

A toothed rack 1G is attached to the under side of the table near to and parallel with the flange C3, that extends along the front edge. A forwardly-projecting rotatable shaft 17 is mounted in the head below the tongue, carrying near its inner end a gear 1S, that con? nects, through the aid of an intermediate gear or gears 19, with the rack 16, fixed to the table. T he outer end of the shaft is provided with a hand wheel or grip 20, having a long hub that embraces the shaft and abuts against the bearing at its rear end. The portion of the shaft within the hub is of square section or otherwise formed to prevent independent rotation while permitting endwise play of such shaft within the hub. The outer end of the shaft is screw-threaded, and a thumb-nut 21. is arranged thereonthat turns in against the end of the hand-wheel hub. The outer end of the hand-wheel is preferably hollowed out or cup-shaped for partially covering the nut 21, as best shown in Figs. and G. The gear 1S is fixed to the shaft 17, and a large washer or plate 23 is preferably arranged on the shaft between the side of the gear and the friction-bar 13. This washer is not essential to the operation, but improves the wearin g qualities of the mechanism. It may in some instances be omitted.

When the thumb-nut 21 is tightened, the shaft and gear 1.8 are drawn forward by the endwise pull-of the shaft through the handwheel hub, and the friction-bar is forced against the table-ange C3, firmly clamping said flange between the face of the head that rests against the edge of the table and the friction-bar that rests against the inner face of the ange, and thereby rigidlyholding the ICO -gages beneath the table-flange O3.

guide at any adjusted position. When the nut is loosened,.the friction-bar is released an d the guide can be shifted along the flanged edge of the table. A headed stud 22 is arranged in the outer end of theshaft for preventing the escape of the nut 2l from the end of the shaft, while allowing it ample scope and movement to tighten and loosen the parts. In the present instance two intermediate gears 19 are shown; but it will be understood that only one of such gears mayin sorne instances be employed, or, again, if desired, the gear 1S can be arranged to mesh directly with the rack and the intermediate gears be omitted. Such latter arrangement is, however, not as convenient as With the intermediate gears, as shown, since by employing the two gears l0 the guide can be run by the gearing to the extreme edge of the table, as oneintermediate gear will operate after the other of said gears has passed olf the end of the rack.

The guide A can readily be pushed across the table by hand when the clamp-nut 2l is released, the gears then rolling free on the rack. The guide-tongue may for general work be made with its rear end terminating at a position indicated by line D, Fig. 1;,but for some classes of work it is desirable to have the guide extend over the full width of the table-top and to besecured at the rear edge of the table. For such instances the mechanism is made with a long guide-tongue d and provided with a clamping device, pref erably such as illustrated in detail in Figs. 9 to l2, inclusive. In the end of the guideton gue there is arranged a vertically-movable grip-piece F, having an under lip f, that en- Said grip slides through an opening formed in the tongue a' and is supported by suitable guidelugs at the sides thereof. The lateral web of the tongue is provided with an inclined surface 'i in front and rear of said opening. A longitudinal bar I is disposed within the tongue, said bar having a wedge-shaped rear end I that passes through an openingf in the grip-piece F and rests on said inclined surface t at its lower side, while its upper side supports the grip-piece F, which latter may rest directly upon said bar, or, as in the-present instance, be provided with a screw h for regulating the adjustment of4 the grip-piece relatively to the thickness of the bar and table. The head or fore end of the bar I is arranged to work in conjunction with an eccentric or cam m, that turns on a pin J, disposed transversely through the flanges 4 of the tongue, as shown, and said cam is provided with a handle m' at position to be reached and operated from the front of the machine and by which the operator can conveniently manipulate the grip devices as desired. \Vhen the handle is laid down, as in full lines, Fig. 0, the cam m forces the bar I rear\vard,and itsinclined end,acting against the inclined surface t', tends to draw the grippece F upward, causing the edge of the table to be firmly clamped between the lip f and the under surface of the guide-tongue. Y If the handle m is turned upward, as per dotted lines, Fig. 9, the cam m draws forward the bar I, sliding its wedge-shaped end down the inclined surface i, and thus releases the grip-piece from its -hold upon the flange C3, so that the guide can be moved freely along the edge of the table to right or left. The grip-piece and means for its operation being arranged between the lateral face edges 4 of the tongue, while the supporting-head is disposed below the surface level of the table or base level of the guide-tongue, there is no liability of any of the parts interfering with the free passage of any work past the saw.

The rear-'end clamp when released does not interfere with the adjustment of the guide by means of the hand-knob and gears, and its handle being at a position well forward on the tongue the operator can, without leaving his position in front of the table, readily lift the handle lm', loosen the thumbmut 21,*turn the hand wheel or knob 2O for shifting the guide,and reset the said handle and thumb-nut instantly, thus effecting the readjustment of the guide without material loss of time in the operation and without special attention to the placement of the rear end of the tongue beyond the act of ,raising and dropping the clamp-handle.

If the guide is used at the side of the table, there being no rack at that position, the head will move freely upon the iiange, while the gears pass along the under side of the table without contact. When designed for use Asolely as a crosscut guide or gage, the head may in some instances be made without'the hand-wheel and gears and clamp devices, since it is not essential that the guide for crosscutting should be fixed at one position, as its work is to slide forward and'backward. upon the side iiange, the head being guided and maintained in square relation by the friction-strip I3 and underlocking lip ll, as before described. While a guide-head of this nature without securing devices would not be available for slitting-guide purposes, such form of guide-head with the securing devices, hand-wheel, and gearing is practically available for use on a crosscut-guide, as well as for a slitting-guide.

The high fence 10 consists of `a plate of the desired length, having upon it two backwardly-projectin g ears 2a, that correspond with the bosses on the guide-tongue- Said ears have fixed therein vertical pins or dowels 25that it into the holes and support the fence in upright position along the face of the guide, as indicated in section, Fig. et. This improved means for supporting and centering the fence in combination with a guide affords facility for the adjustment and use of the fence in reverse position ou either side of the tongue or it-s ready transfer and application to either the slitting or the cut-off guide. It can be instantly detached or re- IOO IIO

IIc

placed by simply lifting it to Withdraw or insert the pins 25 from or into the holes 0.

To render the guide available for long work, I provide the detachable extension-bar B and gage-stop h of the peculiar character illustrated. One end of said bar is fitted to the top of the guide-beam proper and is provided with an attaching thumb-bolt 26, the nut 2S of which can be underloclied into a space 2S) in the tongue for holding the parts firmly together when the screw is tightened. (See Figs. l and The width of the bar B preferably corresponds to the width of the tongue a vand gives a straight edge surface flush therewith.

The gage-stop b consists of a detachable clasp or sliding piece open at its under side and formed to set astride the bar or guide- .tongue, as indicated in Figs. l, 2, and 3. Said to the saw by the advance of the guide. AThe stop is secured to the bar B by a suitable thumb-screw 32 or by other suitable means. The stop is so made that when used upon the bar or tongue over the table-,surface it can be set at inclined position, as shown at the right on Fig. 3, and the surface 33 at the angularlower end used as a gage-point against which to place the end of the board when Vsawing it to a given length.

The extension-bar can be readily connected and detached as required. The guide can be slipped from the front edge of the table and passed onto the iiange at the side of the table, or vice versa, as required for use for cutting off or slitting work, and when used as a slitting-guide can be easily and accurately adjusted by rolling the hand wheel or grip 20 right or left and then quickly secured by a turn of the thumb-nut 2l.

Fig. 8i shows the guide applied to a wooden 1n achine-table. In this modification the fiange C3 is attached to the under side of the table edge by screws, and a block 35, equal in thiol;- ness to the table, is introduced between the guide-tongue and guide-head. In other respects the parts are constructed and cornbined as above described. This guide may be provided with the hand-wheel and gears similar to Fig. 5, in which case the rack IG would be screwed to the wood table for engaging the gears in the same manner as shown onother figures of the drawings.

I claim as my invention and desire to. secure by Letters Patent- 1. In combination with the machine-table having the plain ungrooved top surface, and provided with a downward lip or flange along its edge, the guide or work-gage comprising an arm or tongue extending freely along the table-surface, and a guide-head carrying said tongue movably supported on the edge surface of the table and underlocking said flange, a yielding presser carried in said guide-head, acting against that surface of said table-flange opposed tothe guiding-face of the guide-head, and a clamping device adapted for tightening said'presser against the table-flange without disturbing the contact and alinement of the guide upon, or in relation to the table edge, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, of the machine-table provided with the downward lip or flange along its edge, the guide or work-gage comprising the tongue extending unconnectedly along the table-surface, and the guide-head carrying said tongue inovably supported on the edge of the table and underlocking said liange, a friction-bar loosely confined Within said guide-head adjacent to the inward face of said flange, and means for tightening said bar firmly against the flange, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with the saw and the saw-table having the depending lip or flange along its edge,the saw-guide comprising the tongue extending over the table-surface, and a transversely-disposed supporting-head attached to said tongue and underlocking the flanged edge of said table, the friction-bar loosely conned within said guide-head, the back spring pressing said friction-bar toward the inclined face of said table-flange with yielding force, and check-screws limiting the yielding action thereof, for the purpose set forth.

4. In combination with the machine-table having the downward flange along its edge, and provided with a toothed rack adjacent to said iange, the guide or work-gage comprising the projecting tongue and the guide-head, said head supported at the edge of the table and underlocking the table-flange, the friction-bar within said guide-headat the rear of the flange, the hand-wheel and shaft mounted in the guide-head, the hand-nut on the threaded fore end of said shaft, and the gearing connecting said shaft and rack, said shaft and its gear adapted foi` forcing the frictionbar forward and clamping the guide-head on the table-flange when said hand-nutis tightened, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination with the saw, and its table having the downwardly-flanged edge in square relation to the axis or plane of the saw, the guide or work-gage comprising a guidehead supported and adjustable upon the flanged edge of the table, the guide-tongue pivoted upon said head and having a lug or angle projecting downward within said head, and the oppositely-directed lateral supporting-screws set in the sides of the head and engaging in depressions on the respective sides of said lug, for supporting and varying the alinement of the' guide-tongue, substantially as set forth.

G. In a saw-guide adapted for support and adjustment on the anged edge of the saw- IOO IOS

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table, the combination of the `guide-head having the flange-pocket therein, the friction bar or plate within said pocket,the flat bow-spring at the back of said friction-bar, and the checkscrews threaded in the guide-head and impinging at the back of the bearing ends of said spring, for the purpose set forth.

'7. In combination, las described, the table having the depending fiange and the toothed rack along its edge, the guide, the guide-head underlocking said flange, the friction-bar within the head fitting the inclined face of the table-Harige, the endWise-inovable shaft carrying a pinion and Washer at the back of said friction-bar, theinterinediate gears mounted in the guide-head and meshing with said pinion and table-rack, the hand-Wheel, its hub embracing and carrying said shaft, and the thumb-nut on the threaded outer end of said shaft, for the purposes set forth.

S. The combination with the saw-table having the parallel edges and depending edge flange; of a sawing-guide supported by a guiding-head that slides on the front anged edge of said table, and a rear-end-clamping device having a gripping-piece with alip that engages beneath the edge of the table, and a grip-operating means arranged upon the guide bar or tongue Within convenient reach of the operator, for tightening and releasing said rear-end clamp, for the purposes setforth.

D.A The combination with the saw-table having the straight flanged edges, and the guidehead adjustable thereon, of the guide-tongue having the rear-end opening and inclined surface adjacent thereto, the vertically-movable grip-piece having a lip that engages beneath the table edge, the endwise-movable bar having a Wedge-shaped end that acts in conjunction with the inclined surface of the tongue for tightening or releasing said grip 5 and a pivoted cam and handle mounted upon the guide-ton gue Within convenient reach of the operator and adapted for moving said slidebar, for locking and unlocking the grip devices, substantially as set forth.

10j In a saw-guide, the combination of a guide-ton gue, substantially as set forth.

ll. 1n combination, With the machine-table having the plain ungrooved top surface and depending lip or flange along its edge, the

guide or Work-gage extending over the tabletop and supported by a guide-head on the outer edge of said table, the tongue of said guide provided with central bosses having vertical holes 9 therein; the detachable-highfence plate l0 provided at its back With ear projections 24 having vertical pins 25 fixed therein that match and are insertible in holes in the guide-tongue, said high fence being adapted for support and use in reverse position at either side of the guide-tongue, substantially as set forth.

l2. In combination, with the guide-tongue and guidelheadfthe detachable extensionbar made the same Width as the guide-tongue, and forming a continuous straight edge therewith; means for connecting said bar with said tongue; and the gage-stop supported thereon as described, and adapted for adj ustment and use on either the extension-bar or guide-tongue, substantially as set forth.

13. The gage-stop b consisting of the detachable furcated clasp adapted for support astride the extension-bar and gage-tongue, and adjustable for use in upright or inclined positions; said gage-stop provided with projecting end lugs 30,1ateralledges 3l,and lower angular surfaces 33, and a set-screw or means for securing said stop in its adjusted position; in combination with the saw-guide tongue and the extension-bar, substantially as set forth.

ranged between the lateral face edges of the i Witness my hand this 28th day of Septelni ber, i897.

.FRANK A. HUMPHREY.

Witnesses: CEAS. TLBURLEIGH,

CHARLES S. BACON. 

